Electric switch.



A. J. HORTON. mscmw swrrca.

I APPLICATION FILED SEPT.14, 1908. Y v 993,526, Patented May30,1911.

2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

A. J, HORTON ELEGTRIC SWITCH. AYPLIOATIONI'FILEDFSBPT.1-1, 1908.

- Patented May 39, 1911.

we r ga 5' f? m; c My To all whom it may concern: i v

rATENtr oFFro ALBERT Hon-eon, or WHITE ruin s; New YORK, 58mm To run CUTLER- Hamnrnn MFG-.00., or MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, A CORPORATION or WISCONSIN.

ELECTBilIG swrrcn.

Be it-known that I, ALBERT J Hpnrou, a citizen of the 'United States, residing at White Plains, in thecounty of-Westchester and State of New York, haveinvented new and useful Improvements in, Electric Switches, of which the following is a full, clear, concise, and-exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawing,forming a part ofthis specification.

My invention relates. to improvements in electric switches and has for its object to prov de a switch for'breaking circuit quickly. According to the preferred form of my. invention, I provide a movable contact adapted to'be engaged by the switch and moved therewith when the same is moved to open position,- said movablecontact'bein arranged to. fly out of engagement'withsaid switch upon rcachin a certain position.

For the purpose more fully disclosing the characteristic features of my invention I have illustrated in the accompanying drawings a rheostat embodying one form thereof.

Of course, my invention may be used in various relations and it shouldbe understood that the same is susceptible of various modifications.

In the accompanying dra\\-'ings- Figure l is a front elevation of the rhcostat. Fig. 2 is a top plan view of a portion thereof. Figs, 3 and 4 are detailed V-IOWS of parts of Fig. 1, and Fig. 5 diagrammatically illustrates one circuit arrangementfor this def vice. i 1 The rheostat whichI have. shown is of a conventional type, the several parts thereof being preferably mountedon an insulating panel 1. Fulcrumed on -a pin 2, protruding from the panel, is

a controlling arm 3 which is provided with an operating handle 4. 1 The arm 3 is adapted tobe moved over a 1 series of contacts 5. A coil spring 6 mounted on the pin 2 tends to move the arm 3' to the left against a stop 7 carriedby the panel.

The arm 3 carries an armature 8which is 1 adapted to engage the pole pieces 9 of the Q retaining magnet 10 when said armis in its, ,(Xtltlllfl 'rightdiand position: The retaining lmagnet 10 is preferably of the low-voltage type and holds the arm 3 in its final posi- Specification 0t Letters Patent. npplicattonfiled September 14, 1905. serial No. 452 ,ss2.

is provide 'tion 1G. The' lever 13 forms a movable contact, the function of which will be herein- Patented iua so, 1911.

tion. When the'arm is released byv the retainingmagnet, the same returns to the position shown in Fig. 1, under the influence of the spring 6. v y I Extending through the upper left-hand .eornerof the panel 1 and projecting from opposite sides thereof, is-a rod 11. Secured to'the rod -11 is a collar-'12 which bears against the face of-the panel. Fulerumed to the forward end of the rod 11 is a lever 13. A coil spring'14 surrounding the rod-11, has

one end secured thereto and its opposite end securedto the lever v13. This spring tends to move the lever 13 upwardly against a stop.15 projecting. from the panel 1. The lever 13 isgirefe'rably of the shape shown and at its end with an elongated porafter explained. I

Adjacent to its end, the arm 3 carries a roller 17 which is adapted to engage the lower edge-of the portion 16 of the lever 13 when the arm is-moved to the right, as shown by dotted lines, Fig. 1. The roller 17 is secured to the arm 3 by a bolt 18.

Mounted upon. the rearwardly extending .portion of the rod 11 is an electromagne't 19,

said rod forming the core thereof. Secured to'the rod 11 by a screw 20 and depending therefrom, is a metallic plate or strip 21.

The lower end of the strip 21 is connected to the fulcrum of the arm 3 by another metallic strip 22. The strips 21 and 2 together with the movable contact 13 and the arm 3, i

when in the position shown in dotted lines, form a com lete magnetic circuit for the magnet 19. Xs'will be hereinafter explained, the rod 1.1 forms part of-the motor circuit, and in practice, I prefer to electrically conanother is best illustrated in Fig. 4. Interposed between the. ends of the strips 21 and 22 is an insulating washer 24. The orifice in the strip 21 is provided with an insulating bushing 25 which is provided at its end with an annular. flange 26. .The strips 21 and 22 are secured to the base'by a bolt 27 provided met the strip 21 to said rod and provide said too at its end with a nut 28 whichibears against t-he insulating flange 25. By this arrangement the strips are efiectively insulated from one another.

I'shall now describe the circuit arrange- 5 ment for this deviceshown 'in' Fig.- 5. The" motor shown is of the compound type, being provided with an armature a, a series field winding 7 and a shunt-field winding Current is sup'pliedb'y the main lines 30 and i 31 One terminal ofthe series field winding f is connected by conductor 33 through a' posite is connected by conductor-42 through switch. One terminal of the retaining magnet 10 is connected by con-' 43 to the first of the series of con- 32 to main line 31.

ductor --'tacts 5. The opposite terminal of said magnet is connected by conductor 44 to binding post 45 which is connected by conductor 46 to one terminal otthe shunt-field windin f. The opposite terminal of the shunt-field winding is connected byconductor 47 to conductor33. The first stepoii' the armature,resistance instead of bein connected totlie first of the contacts 5 is ipnnected to the core of the magnet 19. One terminal of the magnet 19 is connected by conductor 50 to the first of the series of contacts 5, I while the opposite terminal of saidmagnet 10 is connected by conductor fil to the resistance 39 at a point between the terminal thereof and the second of the series of contacts 5. I shall now; describe the operation of this device. Assuming that the arm 3 is in the 5 position shown inFig. 5, the motor circuit is open. If the arm.3 be moved to the right onto the first of the series of contacts 5, cir

'cuit will first beclosed. through the magnetv '19 and th'e shunt-field' winding f.) The cir- 5 cuit for the'shuntfield winding may be traced ,from main line 31 by conductors 42and'40 tothev arm 3, thence to thefirst of the series ofco'ntacts 5, by conductor 43, through'the retaining magnet 10, by conductors 44 and 55 46, through the shunt-field winding f, by

t-conductors 47 and 33 to -main line 30; Cirlcuit for the magnet 19 may be traced from the first of thefseries of contacts 5, by conductor 50, through said magnet, by conductor;5 1,'through a portion of the first step not the resistance 39, and all of the remaining steps-thereof, by conductors 38, 36 and 35, through the motor armature and series :fild winding f, by conductor .33 to main "line 30. The motor circuit is thus closed withpractically all of the armature resisttheportion 16 of'the movable contact 13 is attracted to the roller17 carried by the arm 3, thereby establishing a shunt-circuit around the magnet 19. Circuit may then be traced from 'the arm 3 by roller 17 to the movable contact '13, by the rod 11 and conductor 48,

' through all of the armature resistance 39,

andthence through the motor armature and series field w inding,'a.s already traced. In- .asmuch as a party of the first step of resistance 39 is included in the shunt-circuit around the magnet 19, said magnet will not be completely short-circuited, but will be maintained energized. As soon as the movable contact is attracted to the roller-17, carried by the arm 3, the magnetic circuit for the magnet 19 is completed, and hence the movable contact is held firmly against the roller 17 and insures a ood contact.- If

now-the arm-3 be release it will return to initial position under the influence of the spring 6. As soon as the arm 3 leavesthe. first contact5, the circuit of the magnet 19 is opened. However, the deenergization of the magnet does not 1occurv instantly and hence the movable-contact 13 is held in engagement with the roller 17 carried by the arm 3, until after the arm has been moved .ofi of the first contact 5. As long as the movable contact 13 is held in engagement with the roller 17 the motor circuit is maintained closed. As soon as the magnet becomes deenergized or as soon as themovable contact reaches such a position that the tension' of the spring 12 overcomes the magnetic attraction between it and the movable contact will fly back to the initial position, thereby breaking the motor circuit with a sna The arc'thiis formed upon the opening 0 the motor circuit is broken betweenthe movable contact and the roller, thereby protecting the stationary contacts from damage. This arrangement is particularly advantageous where the controller handle-is moved onto the first contact and then immediately returned to initial position for leasing '?:or jogg'i:ng the motor along. Such a 'mani' ulation :of' the controller handle will draw. a 'eavy arc (in the contact points due tothe rush of current which passes through the rheostat when the-circuit is first closed and before thearmaturesp'eeds up.

roller, said Such arcs would soon destroy the contactsunless the same were quickly stretched and broken. Assume now that instead of r0 turning the arm 3 to initial position the same be moved onto the second of the series of contacts 5. The roller 17 is then disengaged from the movable contact 13 and then the motor circuit is completed from the arm 3 directly to the second of the series of contacts 5, and thence directly through the reture and 'sefies field winding; as already traced. [As soonas theai'm'leaves I the 'first of the series of the magnet 191s. shortcircuited. Continued movementofthe arm 3 to the tight will, gradually remove. the resistance-39 from circuit and when'the will operate at normal speed. 'Th'ejarm 3' is retained in I its final position by. the, retaining magnet 10. I If, from any cause, the mag netlO relases'the' iii-m 3, said. arm will re:

turn to its' -initial position under the in fiuence'of the spring 6. I I

initial position from the full on position I under-the influence of the spring 6, it usu to the roller '17. -Howei7er, arciformed upon the opening oiihe motor 'circuitunder these-conditions is very small inasmuch as the motor is running at full-speed'andthe C; E.

M. F, generated therby?isf approximately equal to 'tl 'edine voltage. Hencedthehrc formed has little or no' effect upon 'thejcon taots' between which f;.it' is. ,'.'fbrohen :Of course-{if the arm mo as back "lowly; from .the full 'on position'fthetno'vame contact wouldsticlc to the roller and the niotlirhir j I claim as new aiid desire to .secu'reby {Letters Patent is'ri. 1. InCcoinbihati-on, 'a switcli," -a*niovable contact adapted jt'qbe engaged. by and moved with said switch. said contact being adapted to quickly disengage 'saidiswitch ponnmtinned movement thereof, and'astationary blowcmt coi l for disrupting the are 1 formed lflux of said blow-'out 'coil ing. concentrated at the point where contact is broken less'of the location"of-said point 1 I 2. In combination, a'switch'ya movable contact. adapted tojbe engaged by'a-nd moved with said switch. said contact bein'gadaptedto quickly disengage said fswitchuponcon tinned: movement thereof .and' a bloweut coil for disrupting the ai'c"f0rmed' upon said blowout coil. 1'

1 3L-In" 'combination, a switch," a pivoted contact adapted to be engaged by and moved I with; said switch. means"fonrcausingq-said. .130

blowout coil arrangedsubstantially concern? said contact forming certain position. In practlcewhen' the'arm 3 flies back to engagement with said switch when the same is'movedin one direction, and means .-for causing said contact to T break engagement with said switch arm '3- reaches its. final positionthe motor upon reaching a certain 5 Inflcombination, a pivoted switch, a

pivoted contact adapted to be magnetically cldin' engagement with said switch when said switch-is moved in 'one"'direction, and

meansfor causing said contact ,to breakengagement withfs'aidswitch upon reachmg a 6. In combination. a switch, a movable cont-act arranged to be engaged thereby. an

electromagnet for causing said contact to be held in engagement with said switch when said switch is moved in one direction, said contact being caused to break-engagem 'ent with said switch tain osition.

n1 combination,

upon reaching'a cera switch, a pivoted icoutactjarranged tobe engagcd'thereby an electromagnet'for causing said; contact to be held' 1n engagement-with said switch] when saidswitch is moved in one direction,

contact arranged to be, engaged thereby, a moy'able contact arranged contiguous to said p 7 N stationary contact and adapted'to' be mag Having thus described my invention, what netially attracted to said switch and held tionary contact.

I 9. Incombination. a switch, a movable contd-cflizin electromagnct having a core magnetically connected tosaid switch and to said con'ta-ct; said magnet being adapted to 'regard+ cause -said- "contact tn'be attracted to said engagement. with sa id switch'upon reaching I a certain position. i p I 10.1 In combination. a switch. a stationary contact, arrangcd to be engagcdthcrcby to.

complete. an' clech-ic circuit. a movable contact atranged contiguous tosaid stationary contact and adapted to be cngagedby'said switch andmoved therewith when saidswitch "is-moved to opcn'position. said I I ;s\\ i tch.- and-said movable {contact being contact-{to qulckly' disengage said switchupon continued movementthereof. and "a adaptcdglto I'naintain the circuit closed after- 'the former has been disengaged from said v stationary c ontact. means for causing said tricwith :the axis of said: pivoted contact j, I v one of ihepole. pieces "-6 .ofsaidblowout coil. I

movable contact to break engagement with stud switch upon reaching a certain posiand"mean's for causing said contactto break iiengiigementwith said swimh, when said switch reaches a certain position. I Bilficombi'nation, a switch, a stationary switch and held in engagement therewith 'when said switch is lnovcd'to open position. and means for causing; said contact to break tion andjlaf stationary blowout magnet for 1% T we -l disrupting thearc formed uponseparation of said contact from said .switch, the flux of said blow-out coil being concentrated at the-point where contactisbroken regardless Softhe location of said point. I

stationary ,contact arranged to' be engaged thereby to complete an electric circuit, a pivo'ted contact arranged'contiguous to said stationarycontact and adapted to-be engaged ..by saidswitch and movedtherewith when the same is movedto open position,-.said

switch and said pivoted contact .beingadapt-z ed to maintain the circuitclosed after the former has left said stationarycontact,

means for causing saidpivoted-contact. to

break engagement with said switch uponreaching a certain position and a blowout coil arranged substantially concentric with the'axis'of-saidpivoted contact, said'pivoted contactv forminga pole piece for said ma net. 1 12; In combination, a switch, a stationary contactarranged to be engaged thereby to p complete an electric circuit,-a movablecone;

tact arranged contiguous to said stationary contact and adapted to be magnetically held in.engagementwith'said-switch to maintain the: circuit closed after said switch is disen- I 3!) gaged from said stationary contact, ."and' meansior causing said movable-contact to move 'put of engagement with said switch upon reachin a certain position.

.13. In combination, a swi h, arstationary ,35 contact arranged to be engaged thereby to complete an electric circuit, a movable-contact arranged contiguous to said stationary contact, an 'electromagnet for causing said movable contact to-be attracted to said 40 switch and held in 'enga ement therewith whensaid switch is'move in v onedirection to maintain-the circuit closed after said.

switch is disengaged from said stationary contact, and means for causing said movable contact to break. engagement with ,saidlswitch when said switch hasreached a cer-. min-positions} 14.1Incombinationaa switch, a stationary I contact arranged to lie-engaged thereby, a.

' movable-contact arranged contiguous to said stationary contact; an ele'ctroniagnet adapt; ed toi'be. energized while said .switch engages said stationary contact, said I'nagnet having its core magnetically; conn'ectedltosaid '6 5 switch and said-movable contact for causing I said movable contact to be magnetically at tracted to-said switch and'held in engagement' therewith when the same is moved to. open position, and means for, causing said movable contact to break engagement with said switch after saidswitch has been dis engaged from said stationary contact.

15. In combination. a series of stationary contacts, a resistance connected thereto. a'

switch movable over said contactsbforcon '11. In combination, a. p votedswitch, a.

trolling said resistance, a movable contact connected to said resistance .and arranged contiguous to the first of saidseries ofsta-j tionary contacts, said movable contact being I adapted to be engaged by said switch before said switch leaves saidstationary contacts and to be moved therewith, and means-for.

- causing said movable contact to break engagement withsaid switch after said switch.

contacts. g a

16.- In combination, a series of stationary contacts, a resistance connected "thereto, a.

pivoted switch movable over-- said contacts;

for controlling said resistance, a pivoted 8() contact connectedto said resistance and ar-' ranged contiguous to the first of said series.

of contacts, saidpivoted contact being-arranged to be engaged by said switch before said switch leaves said stationary contacts andto move therewith, and means;. for causing" said pivoted switch to bieak enga'gement with said switch. after said switch has been moved off ,of said stationary contacts.

17. In combi1iation,-.a series of stationary contacts, a resistance connected thereto, a switch movable over said contacts for controlling said resistance, 'a movable contact 5 connected to said resistance and arranged contiguous to the first of saidseries of con-- 5f tacts, said movable contact being adapted to ;be magnetically attracted to said switch when the same is moved ontothe first of' said series ofstationary contacts and to be held in engagement with -said switch when said switch is moved in one d rection, and means for causing. said movable contact to break engagement with said'switch when said" switch has reached a-certain position.

18. In a controller for electric; motors, in combinatioii,.a series of stationary contacts, a resistance connected thereto, a switch movable over said contacts for controlling said resistance, a movable contact arranged contiguous to the first of said serie's of contacts and .connected to said'resisitance, an 'electro magnet having "its. core magnetically connected to said switchiand said movable contact and for causing said movable contact .to be attractedto said switch when the same 11 able over said contacts for controlling saidresistance, a pivoted contact arranged. con-. tiguous to thefirst of said series of contacts and connected to said resistance, an electro- -magnet connected in circuit between the 136 has. been moved oito f said stationary 75 first ofsaid series of contacts and said rewith the first of said series of contacts and to be held in engagement with said switch when returned to initial position, and means for causing-said pivoted cont-act to break engagement with said switch upon-reaching a predetermined osition.

20. In a contro ler for electric motors, in combination, aseries of stationary contacts, a resistance connected thereto, a switch movable over said contacts for contrbllin said resistance, a pivoted contact arranged contiguous to the first of said series of contacts and connected to said resistance, an electromagnet connected in circuit between the first of said series of contacts and said resistance, said switch and said pivoted contact, when in engagement, being adapted to establish a shunt-circuit around sald magnet, said magnet having its core connected to said switch and said pivoted contact to cause said pivoted contact to be magneti cally attracted to said switch when in engagement with the first of said series of contacts and to be held in engagementwith said switch when returned to initial position, means for causing said pivoted contact to break engagement with said switch upon reaching a certain position, means tending to return, said switch to initial position, and a retaining magnet for holding said switch in its final position.

21. In combination, a pivoted switch, a relatively stationary pivoted contact cooperating with said switch to maintain circuit closed through said switch after the same leaves its stationary contact, a spring tending to withdraw said pivoted contact from said switch, means overcoming the tension of said spring for a temporary period and a blowout coil for disrupting the are produced by said switch.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name in the presence of two witnesses.

ALBERT J. HORTON.

Witnesses: 4

\VILLIAM W. CULLY, CHARLES B. BAKER. 

